WildFire - Chapter 1
1.
She was going to testify.
She had seen her landlord Simon Edwards knock on her neighbour Vanessa's door, enter, she had heard the screams, the sounds of hitting, and she had called the police. The scumbag was going to jail, and she was going to be the one who put him there.
Nola looked at herself in the mirror, straightened her jacket, smoothed her hair she had wrangled in a tight bun and took a deep breath. She was not used to speaking in public, being much more at ease in her lab, but it was time to be brave and face her fears.
The knock on her door made her jump. She frowned and looked in the peephole. A delivery man was standing in the corridor holding a parcel. She opened. The man pointed a gun at her.
« You're coming with me quietly. »
Nola stood motionless, in shock, unable to detach her gaze from the barrel. The man grabbed her arm and pulled her down the corridor, the stairs, through the side door to the alley and pushed her in a van that was waiting, motor running. The man sat in the passenger seat and pointed the gun at her once more. She curled on the floor and realized the acrid fear smell was coming from her.
After a little drive, the van stopped, the side door opened and the same man dragged her out. She fell hard on her knees but that didn't stop him. She cried out in pain and the man had a nasty smile. He trew her in a chair and put handcuffs on her wrists and ankles.
Once the men were gone and she found herself alone, Nola looked around her. She supposed she was in a warehouse of some kind, very big, but very dark. Her fear started to reced and her mind started to clear. She couldn't see much, the windows were so small and dirty hardly any light was coming inside, but she had one sense that was like no other. So she closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose.
The colors emerged in her mind. She smelled the dust and mold and saw grey. The scent of the river nearby was a brownish green. The warehouse itself was wood and steel and she saw their brown and dark grey. She took another breath and smelled her kidnapper on her. She had seen his face, and she thought that was a bad sign. His scent was dark brown, like aged wood, but with a rotten core. It was the first time she had encountered such a smell, but she figured out people willing to do anything for money would not smell like peaches and roses. Now even blind she could recognize him.
She also figured out why she was here instead of the courtroom. Mr Edwards didn't want to go to jail and figured out taking her out of the equation was the best way to achieve his goal. She was still alive, which was a good sign, so he was going to keep her from testifying. But now that her fear was gone, she thought she would still testify once free. And he had to know that. She had no family he could put pressure on, so he would either kill her or scare her into shutting up. She smelled her fear again.
*****
« In other news, Doctor Nola Hendrickx, who was going to testify in court today against building owner Simon Edwards on his alleged assault on Vanessa Redgrave, is missing. Police is pursuing several leads but has no comment at this time. »
Oliver Queen stopped in mid pushup to look at the screen. The photo of a pretty redhead showed up in place of the anchor. He jumped up and went to Felicity who was in front of the computers.
« Already on it. Doctor Nola Hendrickx, PHD in chemistry and botany, head Nose for Valerio Rossi, perfumes division. »
« We were in high school together. »
« Like the reporter said, she's the main witness in an assault and attempted rape case. When she didn't show up in court this morning, the DA got a 24 hours continuance. So if you find her before tomorrow morning, she can still testify and help put the bad guy behing bars. »
« Look at his financials. If he owns one building, he may own others. »
« Way ahead of you... He owns several companies... One of them owns different warehouses in the Port District. »
« Looks like the perfect place to stash someone for a few days. »
« I'll call Dig. »
« No need, I'll be fine on my own. »
Oliver put on a t-shirt and his green jacket, seized his bow and quiver and left.
*****
The man came back and Nola was afraid once more. He turned the lights on and she saw a few more feet around her.
« Mister Edwards sends his regards. »
« Tell him he can go to Hell. »
Nola tried to show a brave face, but she was intensely aware of the smell of fear emanating from her. The man crouched in front of her and took his gun out.
« I'm really sorry you say that. You see, I have a problem with killing. Don't like it much. Try to avoid it usually. So, will you be a good girl and stay away from all this mess ? »
« No. »
Nola shivered. The man pointed his gun to her foot and shot.
Nola shrieked. The pain was worse than anything she had ever felt in her entire life. Even when she had broken her arm when she was six. It resounded in her leg and up her torso. Her foot throbbed and she wondered if she had anything left below her ankle. She got vaguely aware the man was talking again.
« On the other hand, I have no problem with wounds and pain. Wounds heal and you forget about pain. So, will you be a good girl or do I have to shoot your knee as well ? »
Nola had a sudden memory of her aunt Kelly, the midwife, telling one of her patient to push through the pain and concentrate on something else, like sounds or smells. She closed her eyes and focused on the smells. The black of burnt powder from the gun, the dark red coppery of her wound, the rotten brown from her torturer. She opened her lids and looked directly in his eyes. The man put his gun on her knee. But before anything else could happen, the gun jumped out of the man's hand, and she saw the shadow of something before all the lights went out. A deep voice echoed in the building.
« Dirk Lancaster, you have failed this city. »
Gunshots exploded in Nola's ears, so she overbalanced her chair and fell on the side. Her foot erupted with pain and she bit her lip to muffle the sound of her cry. By the time she was able to breathe normally again, there were no more sounds. The rotten brown smell had taken a sick green color, and Nola guessed that the late Mr. Lancaster wouldn't hurt anyone anymore.
A shadow approached her, smelling of rainforest, green, wild and dangerous. He opened the handcuffs.
« You're safe. »
When he took her in his arms, she turned her head and sniffed deeply the crisp and fresh scent, so unlike anyone she had ever met. He carried her out and she heard the sirens of an ambulance and saw its lights. He sat her down on the ground.
« You'll be fine now. »
He was gone before she could say « Thank you ».
*****
In the hospital, the doctors were not very optimistic about the state of her foot. Shattered bones, broken tendons. She would walk again, yes, but it would take a long time, a lot of surgery, and she would probably never run again. Which was fine with Nola since he hated to run. They bandaged her foot tightly and she entered the courtroom in a wheelchair.
She knew she would never be afraid again.
*****
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